Kansas University Easter Survey Results- 2000

On April 26th and 27th of 2000 I led an outreach on the Kansas University campus in the form of polling students on the meaning of Easter and their spiritual beliefs/positions. A total of 133 Students were surveyed in an effort given by roughly 15 volunteers, and helped by the many others who prayed. This was done to serve God in the following three specific ways...

To gain information about the spiritual status of the KU campus which will help us to minister more effectively to campus needs.

To encourage those surveyed to think about their eternal future and spiritual matters.

To offer the message of salvation to those that choose to hear it.

I am writing this to share with you the results of these surveys, and because I thought you might take a personal interest in them. You have permission to do whatever you desire with the results.

There is something incredibly beautiful in sharing the message of salvation with others. I had the opportunity to do this several times and each time I shared the Gospel the beauty of Jesus' sacrifice

And God's plan for us was impressed upon my heart. Almost every person I surveyed seemed think deeply on the questions I asked them. The questions were opening doors in their hearts and prodding them to search for the answers. I felt joy in serving God in this way. He gave me a peace and a happiness in helping others find the Truth.

In compiling these results I did the best I could to read sloppy writings and categorize answers to simplify the results. There may be slight error because of this in the results, but on the whole I believe that these results were accurately recorded and compiled and are an accurate representative of the student's beliefs.

I'll put the percentages first and then the particular response will follow.

Here we go...

1. When someone mentions Easter, what's the first thing that comes to your mind?

26 % Easter Eggs

16 % Easter Bunny

14 % Church

11 % Christ

11 % Resurrection

5 % Candy

5 % Family

12 % Other- nothing profound...

2. Have you heard the original background of Easter?

83 % Yes

10 % No

7 % Not sure

3. Is Easter a spiritual time of the year for you personally?

43 % Yes

47 % No

10 % Unsure

4. How would you rate the importance of your spiritual life on a scale from 0 to 5, 5 being vital?

6. Easter celebrates the death and resurrection of Christ. According to your understanding and belief, why was Jesus crucified?

47 % To save men from their sins

11 % Because of his beliefs

8 % He offended the Romans

5 % Because of his claim to be the Messiah

4 % Because he offended the Jewish leaders

3 % People didn't believe him

2 % For rebelling

2 % He was misunderstood

2 % People didn't want to admit the presence of a higher power than themselves

1 % To save us from ourselves

15 % Didn't know

7. In your opinion, who is Jesus Christ?

39 % The Son of God

21 % The Savior of men

19 % A good man/teacher

4 % A religious/spiritual leader

3 % A prophet

2 % A myth or story

1 % Man who had a spirit

1 % A rebel

1 % A fake

9 % Were not sure

8. Do you consider yourself a Christian?

67 % Yes

29 % No

4 % Not sure

Why or why not?

Of those that responded yes, this is their reason...

28 % Belief in Jesus

18 % Were raised that way

16 % Lead a "good Christian life"

10 % Believe in God

6 % Go to Church

4 % Believe in the Bible

2 % Baptized

2 % Accepted Christ into their heart

14 % Were not sure

Of those that responded no, this is their reason...

18 % There are many ways to find truth

10 % Were not raised that way

10 % Were of a different religion

10 % Don't believe

10 % Do not believe in organized religion

8 % Were not practicing

5 % Do not need it

3 % Do not want to believe

3 % Need proof to believe

3 % Do not want to take the 'leap' of faith

20 % Not sure / Other

9. If you were to die tonight, how sure are you that you would spend eternity with God in heaven? (0 - 100 %)

100 % sure - 32 %

90 - 99 % sure - 14 %

80 - 89 % sure - 7 %

70 - 79 % sure - 9 %

60 - 69 % sure - 2 %

50 - 59 % sure - 9 %

40 - 49 % sure - 0 %

30 - 39 % sure - 2 %

20 - 29 % sure - 2 %

10 - 19 % sure - 1 %

1 - 9 % sure - 2 %

0 % sure - 12 %

no idea - 10 %

9 1/2. What reason would you give God that He should let you into heaven?

53 % I've led a good life

25 % Were speechless when asked and/or had no answer

5 % Accepted Christ as Savior

3 % Believed in Jesus

3 % Believed in God

11 % Other

Key responses - Beg, Ask for forgiveness then, Why should I be left out? You created me, Aren't you a loving God?

10. Would you be interested in what the Bible says on how a person can spend eternity in heaven with God?

Approximately 100 people responded positively and took paper outlines of the four spiritual laws that look a lot like this page - http://www.campuscrusade.com/four_laws_online.htm. I would approximate that around 40 or so people were willing to listen to the witness of the surveyor. I am so excited that at least 100 seeds were planted, I am so thankful for those that helped in prayer or in surveying and for the 133 people who responded. I am so thankful for the ability I had to serve God in those two days, and I know He was glorified by the sacrifices we made to do the surveys.

Please look over this- these people need Jesus. I was amazed at some of the statistics. So many think they can work their way into heaven, or would be completely speechless. So few realize that Jesus is the answer. For those returning to KU next year, please consider renewing and redoubling efforts to pray and witness to the campus.